Prevalence of bovine brucellosis in Mwenezi district

Author

Kwangwari, E.

Title

Prevalence of bovine brucellosis in Mwenezi district

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of Bovine Brucellosis in Mwenezi District, with the broad objective to find the distribution of Bovine Brucellosis in the district by establishing the seroprevalence of the disease and establish the distribution of the disease across farming systems. Random sampling of 11 dip tanks and subsequently farmers was done using R Studio. A questionnaire was administered on the selected farmers. Blood samples were taken from the cows provided by the selected farmers for laboratory analysis in Masvingo Provincial Veterinary Laboratory. The outcome from the questionnaire administered to the selected farmers indicated that there was limited knowledge of Brucellosis disease, where the response to knowledge of Brucellosis was 98.78%. The high abortion rate of 60.25% indicates a significant reproductive issue and the third trimester of 61.38% showed that there is high possibility of Brucellosis. From the blood samples tested for brucellosis, 5.6% of processed samples tested positive and this made the researcher to reject the null hypothesis (Ho) which stated that the seroprevalence of Brucellosis has no bearing on the low production and reproduction of cattle in Mwenezi and there is insignificant difference in distribution of Brucellosis across farming systems. The researcher also accepted the alternative hypothesis which stated that the seroprevalence of Brucellosis has a bearing on the low production and reproduction of cattle in Mwenezi and there is insignificant difference in distribution of Brucellosis across farming systems. The positive laboratory results of Brucellosis cases in Mwenezi District indicated a significant possibility of losses through abortions contributing to low cattle production. Also, it is of public health concern since the disease can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals and consumption of contaminated cattle products, taking note of the limited knowledge on disease transmission, prevention, and control as guided by the survey. It was recommended that as Government of Zimbabwe through the DVS, private sector and cattle farmers should collaboratively take action in implementing campaigns and programs to provide farmers with knowledge in the transmission and control of Bovine Brucellosis, establishment of a regulatory framework and enforcement with regards to the management of Bovine Brucellosis in communal areas..

Date

OCTOBER 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

bovine brucellosis

disease

farming

trimester

Supervisor

Mr. T. Mangwiro